STATE
OF HAWAII
NEW LAWS - 2008 LEGISLATION Act 11, HB 2656 (effective April 14, 2008) Adds reciprocal beneficiaries to the definition of “immediate family” for purposes of campaign contribution limits. This allows a candidate’s reciprocal beneficiary, as defined in Hawaii Revised Statutes 572C-3, to contribute up to $50,000, in the aggregate, with other loans and contributions from immediate family members, in an election period. Act 244, HB 661 (effective July 8, 2008) 1. Increases fines for late reports to $50 per day the first 7 days, $200 per day thereafter, except for the 2nd Preliminary Primary Report and the Preliminary General Report, for which the fines are $300 per day. There is a cap on these fines. 2. Increases fines for deficient and defective reports that are not amended and electronically filed within 14 days of the notification letter mailed by the Commission, to $50 per day for the first 7 days after the 14 day notification, and $200 per day thereafter. There is a cap on these fines. 3. Mandates deposit of administrative fines into the State’s General Fund, rather than the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund. 4. Certain expenditures by and reimbursements to candidates, volunteers, and campaign employees are exempt from the definition of “loan.” Expenditures made by candidates, volunteers, and campaign employees up to $1,500 within a 30 day period, with proper receipts submitted prior to reimbursement, that are reimbursed within 45 days of the expenditures are exempt from the definition of loan. 5. Increases permissible community donations from campaign funds to twice the contribution limit of the office, for surplus funds under HRS section 11-206, but not HRS section 11-200 funds. 6. Establishes a pilot program for three elections to provide full public funding, including equalizing funds to level the playing field, to candidates in Hawaii County Council for 2010, 2012, and 2014. 7. Increases the Hawaii State income tax check-off to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund from $2 to $3. |
